Guided by the mini-map, Datch landed in an industrial district—a stark contrast to Macragge's opulent main city.
The air was thick with metal shavings and half-burnt fuel.
Most buildings' exteriors were stained, marked by years of oily grime.
He landed, switched his Terminator armor to a detective outfit, and straightened his collar.
Following the mini-map, he walked toward a tavern called the "Workers' Home."
As the capital of Ultramar, even ordinary workers in Macragge enjoyed far better conditions than elsewhere in the Imperium.
They had spacious homes, spare cash, and time for a drink at the bar.
Inside the tavern, it was a sea of voices and swirling smoke.
Burly workers crowded the tables, laughing and clinking glasses.
A few scantily clad, voluptuous dancers flitted about with drinks, drawing whistles and wandering hands.
The air was a heady mix of cheap booze, sweat, and some even cheaper perfume.
Datch found a quiet corner to sit, only to have a stunning redhead sashay over.
She had a seductive face, long legs accentuated by heels, and her low-cut dress highlighted her dramatic curves.
She all but pressed herself against Datch, her breath fragrant.
"Handsome stranger, haven't seen you before. Want me to keep you company for a drink? Or… perhaps something else?"
Though Datch was an Astartes, genetic modification and bio-enhancement were common in the Warhammer universe, so he didn't stand out much except for being bigger than average.
He adjusted his monocle and eyed the redhead appreciatively, mentally giving the game devs a thumbs up.
The character models in this game are huge—and so white!
And best of all, they're uncensored.
If you ask me, why bother with adult games at all?
Everyone should just play Warhammer Universe, rescue these wayward girls, and whip Slaaneshi cultists.
Too bad VR games have strict anti-addiction and sensory limits.
Players can't get too much stimulation.
So Datch simply admired her as he would a work of art, unfazed.
He took out a few Ultramar credits, handed them to the redhead, and spoke calmly.
"Your charms are truly impressive, miss. But I just want some peace. Take this, and please don't disturb me."
The redhead's face lit up at the sight of the money. She smiled brightly and nodded.
"Of course, handsome. I get it—you want to be alone. Not only will I leave you in peace, I'll tell my sisters not to bother you either."
She winked at Datch and left, swaying her hips, clearly content.
With her gone, Datch scanned the crowd for his target.
At that moment, a well-groomed man in decent clothes jumped onto a low platform in the middle of the tavern.
Grabbing the mic, he tapped it, drawing many eyes his way.
"Fellow citizens of the Imperium, comrades, let me say a few words."
His voice was loud and passionate, stirring the crowd.
"You may think I'm inciting trouble, or being alarmist, but I have to speak my mind.
Open your eyes! Look around—see how we toil day and night, yet still barely scrape by!
And look at those fat-bellied bureaucrats and nobles in their mountaintop palaces!
This is not what the Imperium should be!"
The tavern fell silent.
All eyes were on the speaker.
He waved his arms and pressed on.
"Those damned parasites! They exploit us in the Emperor's name, drinking our sweat and blood while claiming it's all for His glory.
But this isn't what the Emperor wanted! He hoped for a united, strong humanity—not a handful of people lording over the masses!"
"We need to wake up! We need to unite! We need to resist—for our rights and dignity!"
"..."
The workers' reactions varied: some thoughtful, some whispering, some cheering.
Clearly, such rhetoric found an audience among the working class.
Datch didn't immediately step in—he just watched, intrigued.
In his detective vision, the man was highlighted—almost certainly the last daemon.
"Daemons of the Warp are really getting creative—now they're posing as revolutionaries."
A quest notification popped up:
[Quest: Expose the Speaker's True Identity
Description: A man is spreading dangerous rhetoric in the tavern, using the workers' discontent to lead them toward hatred and chaos.
His words carry the subtle whispers of the Warp. His real goal is far more sinister than advocating for workers' rights. Expose him and stop this carefully planned incitement.
Reward: 200 EXP, 200 points, +30 Reputation]
Datch glanced at the quest, then back at the man on stage.
When the speech ended, the tavern was abuzz.
Datch started clapping slowly, stepping out from the crowd.
"Wonderful speech, sir."
His voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the noise.
"Clear logic, passionate delivery, and very persuasive. I imagine, back in the Warp, you're quite famous for your eloquence and sophistry?"
The man's face darkened. He frowned at the oddly dressed detective, clearly annoyed.
"What's that supposed to mean? What's the Warp? I'm just standing up for my fellow workers."
"Oh, you know what I mean." Datch couldn't be bothered with small talk. With a flourish, he produced the Ecclesiarchy Holy Writ and flipped to a highlighted chapter.
He cleared his throat, ignored the speaker's changing expression and the crowd's confusion, and began reciting the exorcism prayer:
"By the light of Terra, cleanse the shadows; by the will of the Emperor, cut down the wicked…"
The workers exchanged uneasy glances, thinking Datch was a little nuts.
"Ugh…!"
The man grunted in pain, his body twisting and convulsing, his face rippling as if something was about to burst out.
Everyone in the tavern was stunned, hastily clearing space.
"Your disguise ends here, daemon. In the Emperor's name, I destroy you."
Datch snapped the book shut, watching the daemon struggle to escape the man's body.
"Cursed lackey, I'll return!" the daemon screamed, finally breaking free.
It became a writhing, sinister black spirit, clawing for the window.
"Hey now, where do you think you're going?"
Datch's eyes narrowed. He hurled the Poké Ball already in his hand.
The ball arced through the air and, just as the daemon touched the window, snapped open with a burst of suction, pulling it inside.
Clack.
The Poké Ball fell to the ground, wobbled twice, then went still, its light turning white.
The tavern was dead silent. Everyone stared at the Poké Ball and the mysterious detective in shock.
Things had happened too fast. Before anyone could react, it was over.
[Congratulations! You have completed the quest: Stopped the daemon from exploiting the people's discontent.]
[Reward: 200 EXP, 200 points, +30 Macragge Reputation]
At the same time, a more prominent quest completion flashed up:
[Congratulations! You have eliminated all three daemons lurking in Macragge, removing a major security threat.]
[Reward: 800 EXP, 800 points, +120 Macragge Reputation, Sadako's Videotape x1]
Datch bent down, picked up the third Poké Ball, put it in his inventory, and pulled out the Sadako videotape.
[Item: Sadako's Videotape
Effect: Designate a device to play the video; the user can climb out of the device.
Review: Who says only a black-haired ghost can crawl out of a well? Why not a golden, musclebound brute?
Friendly reminder: Underage daemons should watch with parental supervision.]
Datch stared at the item's description, a huge question mark over his head.
So I don't summon Sadako—I become Sadako?!
It seemed like a conceptual tool.
As long as there was a screen, he could crawl out of it using the tape.
"Time to give Guilliman and the others a taste of Sadako's shock."
Datch selected the strategic command room of Hera Fortress as the playback location, eager to startle the NPCs.
…
Read advanced chapters at patreon.com/AbsoluteCode